Team's reputation at stake - Ravoni

"We're building up our squad for the World Cup in January 2001," said Fiji coach Rupeni Ravoni speaking at the Dubai Rugby Sevens competition yesterday.

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"We're building up our squad for the World Cup in January 2001," said Fiji coach Rupeni Ravoni speaking at the Dubai Rugby Sevens competition yesterday.

Sevens heavyweights Fiji boast of legendary performances in the shorter version of the game. However, currently, they are going through a process of change in which younger players are trying to make the grade for their country.

Fiji are in Dubai without three of their veterans Waisale Serevi, an icon in the sevens, Kini Kiliraki and Vilimoni Delasau. "We're using the IRB series as a sort of build up towards our World Cup campaign," offered Ravoni.

While admitting that the current Fiji side which finished runner-up to New Zealand in Durban last week, was going through a metamorphosis, Ravoni was firm in saing, "Many of the younger lot have played overseas in both the 15s and 7s versions of the game. They are young, fit and fast and this team is a back-up to the No 1 outfit which will go to the World Cup."

Moments of pressure come during periods of uncertainty and Ravoni does not shy away from admitting to it. "We bring with us a rugby tradition. The load is always there since we are world champions.

"The only way to deal with pressure is to treat every game as a sort of test. The reputation of the team is at stake. There is also pressure on the management. "We try and explain what is expected of the team and that is top class rugby from the word go. The important factor is to prepare the team both mentally and physically."

An ambassador of sorts for his country Ravoni regretted the IRB's decision to pull out the Fiji Rugby Sevens from its calendar due to the period of unrest that existed in his country. "There is no doubt that the Fiji event was one of a kind. But due to situations that were beyond our control the event got scrapped."

The well spoken manager, however, still hopes that his country will win the tournament if it is ever brought back home. "That would be the icing on the cake," he said.

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